Survival Guide: Introduction

EMERGENCY AND WILDERNESS SURVIVAL GUIDE

Survival & Self-Reliance Skills

The use of survival skills is not even remotely limited to living on the forest floor under a pile of debris without any modern conveniences. Nor are they limited to being lost or stranded in the woods. In the broader sense, these skills are a means of becoming less dependent on the faltering system and therefore more self reliant. Self-Reliance is a lifestyle, not a technique. The ultimate test is not simply coming out alive but rather going into the mountains as a means of long term survival while the rest of the world reassembles.

There are two primary reasons to study and practice wilderness "survival" skills.

Being lost or stranded in the wild.

Heading for the hills with the intention of living off the land for an extended period due to a forced change in lifestyle.

The Possibility of Needing Survival Skills

In most instances, technology and a little preparation can eliminate the need for a lot of training for an otherwise unlikely event. Never enter the woods without covering the basics, then you will never have to experience being lost or stranded with nothing at you're disposal.

GPS

Map

Compass

Watch

Knife

Water Filter

Weapon

Ferrocerium rod fire starter

Extra Clothing

Extra Food

A navigational device can nearly eliminate the possibility of getting lost but becoming stranded is a risk all outdoors-men frequently take. Packing a water filter eliminates the need to boil water. Carrying rations and packing a modern weapon may otherwise eliminate the necessity for you to learn how to build primitive weapons or traps to obtain food. Carry a Ferrocerium rod fire starter or waterproof matches and there won't be a requirement to start a fire with sticks. Knowing how to start a fire in wet conditions and knowing how to build a temporary shelter remain vital and important. Of course, your tools can become lost or broken and supplies can run out. Learning to build shelters, light fires and obtain food with primitive methods is not a waste of time but planning ahead for the unexpected can be even better.

The Certainty of Needing Survival Skills

On the other hand, heading for the hills with the intention of living off the land for an extended time takes the discussion out of the realm of theory and abstract thinking into reality. In this situation, there are four things that require special consideration:

Shelter... Living on the forest floor under a pile of debris would eventually make every day a struggle for survival. In cold country, housing a fire is essential to a functional shelter. Building a simple log structure is a well suited option. Among few others, erecting a Tee Pee would be less appealing but remains a possibility.

Water... Packing water from a stream to supply water for drinking, dishes, laundry, garden and livestock etc., is a never ending chore. This task is especially difficult during the winter months. In the extended outlook, developing a water delivery system will save unmeasurable amounts of time and energy.

Harvesting Food... Relying on anything less than professional quality traps, snares and weapons poses the serious risk of unreliable results.

Caching Supplies... A modest amount of carefully chosen tools, equipment and a backup food supply will provide lots of options and piece of mind.

Frequently, I am asked the following questions by people that are already struggling to survive in these troubled times. The articles in the Survival Tool Box and the Lucky Dog Living section of this site help to answer those questions.

1. How can I store supplies and get adequately prepared for an emergency on a very low budget? 2. How can I feed myself if I loose my job or if no food is available at the supermarket? 3. How can I prosper without a 9-5 JOB? 4. If there is an emergency, should I stay at home (bug in) or head for the hills (bug out)? 5. Where should I go? 6. When should I leave? 7. What should I bring?

The feedback I have received thus far has been quite positive and I'm really happy about that! More and more people are beginning to realize that living off the land i.e. raising home gardens, hunting, fishing and trapping are all environmental positives.

Whatever the reasons may be for studying this information, the ability to adapt to changing circumstances and having the innovation to solve unforeseen problems are the keys to success.

If an emergency strikes, many respected sources have said, “stay home and ride it out” (bug in). If you live in a city, heading for a small town or village during an emergency or food shortage might seem like a huge improvement. But what if you are from a small town or village that just acquired 800 or 8000 new inhabitants over night? Your plans might be spoiled by the sudden increase in pressure on nearby resources. This possibility could make heading for the hills (bugging out) a better choice. It's impossible to rationalize any particular approach because no two situations will ever be exactly the same.

What we do know is that the average household has:

approximately 9-12 meals on hand.

very little cash on hand.

no backup energy supply.

no means of obtaining water without electricity supplied by the grid.

no means of cooking food without electricity supplied by the grid.

no means of heating or cooling their homes without fuel deliveries or electricity supplied by the grid.

no means of producing light without electricity supplied by the grid.

no means of transportation without access to a gas pump.

Whether you’re on your way in or out of a secluded area or riding out a storm at home, the primary goal remains the same, avoid life-threatening situations. Knowing what to do in advance will ease fears of the otherwise unknown and turn confusion into meaningful action.

How many people do you know that could survive for any length of time without electrical power, fuel (gas/diesel/propane), money, credit or a commercial food supply? Equally as important, how do you think most people will react if the unfortunate were to happen?

The purpose of this site is to help people:

1. Become comfortable and confident in their ability to provide the basic necessities of life.2. Find new ways to become more self sufficient.3. Spend more time in nature, free of the trappings cast upon man by society.4. Fully realize the severity of our current economic situation before it is too late to prepare for what's coming.5. Develop a plan of action that covers the most obvious life threatening scenarios.6. Develop outdoor skills.7. Pursue a life of adventure.8. Live free and escape the "Rat Race".

User Comments

To the same fellow who made the 4-part videos in regards to morel picking and preserving 'there-of':
What extremely well presented videos you are offering to the viewers on You Tube. I was pleased to discover your work and thoroughly enjoyed your presentation in the collecting, cleaning and preserving the treasure called 'morels'.
There is not much more to say other than 'thanks so very much, friend; well done.
Continue your good work,
Sweetdoughy